In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the fiery argument that is going on between Sanjaya, King Dhritarashtra, Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya. We’ve seen how Guru Dhronachaarya is training his guns towards Karna for grossly misleading Duryodhana in Yudishtra’s case. In return, Karna fumes at Guru Dhronachaarya with certain past incidents where he was insulted very badly. To divert the discussion and bring it back to the topic, King Dhritarashtra now asks Sanjaya to list out the key warriors who are present on both sides. As Sanjaya does so, he faints on the ground with fear that all these great warriors are going to meet a disastrous end to their lives. After a while, with some help from people in the courtroom, Sanjaya recoups himself and continues his accord, which we shall witness today.
Moving on, as Sanjaya gets up, he says thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! I fainted on the ground not because of the fear that we might not have great warriors by our side. We also have great people to fight the battle. However, you are not understanding the trick here – Bhagawan Krishna always stands by “Dharma” and He is the one who will make things happen in favour of “Dharma”. Please understand that Duryodhana is grossly walking the path of “Adharma” and you as a father are not able to mend his ways. This is going to result in a great disaster, and it is this disaster which I fear about! I do not care who is on which side. It is beyond my interest and comprehension!”
Hearing all these arguments for all this while, Duryodhana now stands up and talks. He has been patiently listening to all these points and now he says thus, “Oh father! Oh Sanjaya! Ph Bhishmachaarya! Why are you people talking like cowards? I thought you are great warriors, but you are just succumbing to the pressure that is put by Yudishtra to get Indraprastha back! Please understand one thing very clearly – Yudishtra is a traitor and he will continue to be! When Hastinapura was split earlier, all of you were cheated and he gained Indraprastha out of nowhere! Now it is my duty to protect the unified Hastinapura! Oh King Dhritarashtra! What right does Yudishtra have in our kingdom? Hence, rather than fearing him, we should gain confidence and courage by understanding our strengths and potential!”
Hearing all these arguments, King Dhritarashtra is now starting to clearly shake with fear! The fear that Sanjaya has, gets into King Dhritarashtra now. He says in the public courtroom thus, “Oh Sanjaya! I totally understand what you are saying! Vidura has also told me the same thing a while back! Many other people have also told me the same thing! My sons are going to meet a ghastly end to the power of Yudishtra and Co. and sadly enough, my sons, including Duryodhana aren’t realising it! I know of the raw muscle power of Bheemasena! He can kill anybody with ease! Even the power of a hundred elephants might not equal the power of Bheemasena’s muscles! My son Duryodhana is not realizing the huge threat that Bheemasena is posing! Moreover, during that fateful gambling game episode, I remember Bheemasena taking a brutal pledge when Draupati was being manhandled! I remember him saying that just like how Draupati was being strangled in public, he would never rest in peace without strangling Duryodhana! These are extremely powerful words from a powerful person and these words keep lingering in my ears even today, after thirteen long years! What is Duryodhana going to do to tackle the brutal muscle power of Bheemasena?”
Saying thus, King Dhritarashtra laments about Duryodhana’s foolishness for one full “Adhyaaya”! In the next “Adhyaaya”, King Dhritarashtra laments about Arjuna’s prowess and how Duryodhana is so aloof about it! He says thus, “Oh Sanjaya! All of us know the power of Arjuna’s famed “Gaandeepa” and Arjuna’s prowess with the bow and arrow technique! Can Duryodhana even stand in front of Arjuna’s sharp arrows and powerful “Asthras”? Why is Duryodhana not realizing all these? He is living in a different world of fantasy altogether and is totally unaware of the great danger that he himself is posing to his life and future! If Arjuna is calling for peace, why doesn’t Duryodhana want to use this opportunity to settle all his scores with him? Why is he still reluctant and standing firm on his ground, which is actually a weak ground without any “Dharma” in it?”
As the entire courtroom is listening to King Dhritarashtra’s lamenting, the gross expectation now from everyone is that King Dhritarashtra will take an initiative atleast now to broker peace with Yudishtra and Co. So is it really going to happen that way? Let us wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 